Monette Council adopts water rate increase ordinances

Monette city council held a special called meeting Tuesday, Jan. 1, to discuss two new city ordinances and property development.

Mayor Chub Qualls met with city council members after they took the oath of office at city hall at 2 p.m.

The council voted to suspend the rules and placed Ordinance 2013-1 on its third and final reading. The ordinance amends ordinance 2010-2 to amend increasing rates charged for services rendered by the city's water system. The council approved the ordinance, and it will be in effect immediately.

The council voted to suspend the rules and place Ordinance 2013-2 on its third and final reading. The ordinance amends Ordinance 2010-3 increasing rates charged for services rendered by the city's sewer system. The council approved the ordinance, and it will also be in effect immediately.

Mayor Qualls reviewed matters concerning property development at the end of Alena Street, north of the city.

"We can't go on Alena because there are too many utilities there to allow the water lines," Qualls said. "The only way to add the new water lines is to come in from Northview Drive."

Qualls distributed cost estimate sheets provided by Water Superintendent David Moore. The total project cost is estimated to be $7,041.05.

"It is a tough spot for me to be in, since I am now on the council and the property in question is mine," Alderman Shawn Nance said. "I want the other members of the council to decide what needs to be done with regard to cost sharing."

"I would like to see a percentage or some formula that is set so for future projects there will be something to use to figure the cost sharing amount," Alderman Jason Stewart said.

"The new Planning Commission will be established this month and start having regular meetings," Mayor Qualls said. "That is one of the issues they can handle."

The council set $2,000 as Shawn Nance's cost sharing portion for the Alena Street extension project. Nance abstained from voting.

The next regularly scheduled council meeting will be 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21, at city hall.